Fort Monroe needs $80 million upgrade

The new 11-member Fort Monroe Authority will take over the transition of the Hampton base from military to civilian life next month with a daunting challenge — finding up to $80 million for infrastructure repairs with nothing for capital improvements in the coffers.

Although the latest figure for improvements after the Army vacates the base is less than originally feared —official estimates ranged from $100 million to $250 million — members of the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority said at a board meeting Thursday that they face a challenge finding the money.

Executive Director Bill Armbruster has been making pleas to Congress and federal agencies for grant funding.

The last meeting of development authority before the new group starts work July 1 a new report on expected infrasture costs from Eddie Marschieder of the consultants Kimley-Horn.

Marschieder said an earlier study by his company in 2008 estimated Fort Monroe would need upgrades of $96.5 million after the Army leaves.

A more detailed study was started in 2009. It covered streets, bridges, gas, communications, flood protection, electricity, waste water, storm drainage and other issues.

Marschieder said about $30 million in storm protection measures was recommended by the Army Corps of Engineers. About $24 million had been completed, but there is still a need for 11 more breakwaters, beach nourishment and a berm to be constructed across the fort.

Marschieder said pipes at Fort Monroe need to be upgraded at a cost of about $700,000. An off-site water main is recommended for replacement, costing $1.5 million, and he outlined costly repairs recommended for the sewer system, including the replacement of three pumping stations for $2.5 million.

And, the study suggest $500,000 in waste water upgrades be completed before the Army leave Fort Monroe in September 2011.

One of the largest upgrades will be improving the electrical system at Fort Monroe at a cost of $7 million to $10 million.

That upgrade would allow Fort Monroe to convert to a "regulated system" in which meters would be placed on individual buildings.

"Obviously we are not going to have that money initially," said Marschieder. He said a phased program would take place with Virginia Power.

Marschieder also said Fort Monroe's gas system is in poor shape. Virginia Natural Gas, which is the supplier, is unwilling to accept Monroe's system as it is, and has indicated that a complete replacement is required, Marschieder said.

"We are still awaiting the promised cost estimate to provide the first phase at least … a gas supply coming into the fort and, of course, a replacement cost."

Marschieder said some infrastructure at Fort Monroe is in good shape but there is still some infrastructure that the consultants have not been able to examine because of national security considerations.

Although the consultants have spoken to Hampton officials, the city has indicated it has budget constraints. Marschieder said the development authority has talked with private operators about operating, maintaining and possibly owning some infrastructure services.

Marschieder said the upgrades were likely to cost $70 million - $80 million over 15 years, with about $54 million of that critical in the next five years.

He said no capital funding had yet been identified for the upgrades.

Tommy Thompson, the development authority's acting chairman, said the board had not planned for that type of spending. "We should get as much out of the feds as we can. The feds will drag their feet as much as they can. It's a lot of money," he said.

Armbruster said he had recently asked Congress for help with infrastructure costs.

"We are pursuing every strategy we can to find ways to get some federal dollars to help us. We believe these are urgently needed," he said.

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